Machu Picchu - the "Lost City in the Clouds"
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Built around 1450, at the height of Inca power, Machu Picchu was abandoned just decades later following Spanish conquest. Although located less than 50 miles from Cusco, Spanish conquistadors never discovered (or plundered) Machu Picchu.
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Rediscovered in 1911, its purpose remains a mystery. Was it a royal palace? A citadel? A university?
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Modern engineers marvel at Machu Picchu's construction. Recent investigations reveal that many buildings align perfectly with celestial constellations.
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Surrounded on three sides by the Urubamba River, Machu Picchu is often shrouded in dense mist from the river. It was covered in clouds when we arrived. When the mist finally lifted, I was able to capture this gorgeous shot with @livingwandrea#machupicchu#peru#incatrail#andes#andesmountains#oarslife#visitperu#trekking#inca#southamerica @oars_rafting

Milky Way over the Inca Trail.
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Andean people see "constellations" in the dark patches of the Milky Way. Some of the dark constellations include snakes, condors and llamas. According to Inca legend, a celestial llama drinks water from rivers and lakes from May to October (dry season), then releases it from December to March (rainy season). Because the llama controls the water cycle, it's considered one of the most important dark constellations.
#peru#incatrail#milkyway#stars#astronomy#oarslife @oars_rafting#visitperu#andes#inca